Studio 60 1.17: "The Disaster Show"

Considering how long it’s been since the last original episode of the series hit air, it was wise to slip this relatively self-contained episode into the order. Giving the story a little more time to breathe and the supporting cast a chance to shine had to be the operative thought, considering that the three main cast members are nowhere to be found.

At the end of the previous episode, Matt was searching for the “4AM miracle”, something that would break his writer’s block in just enough time to allow the show to work. Harriet’s break with Luke was the apparent catalyst, and one might have assumed that the show went off without a hitch. It seems like the miracle was rather short lived, given how the show actually progressed.

Because of the stakes for Matt, seen in the previous episode, it’s a bit off-putting that he’s not reacting to the meltdown. That said, I’m not sure that there was time in the episode for Matt, Danny, or Jordan to add a substantial contribution. I suspect that the next episode will deal with their reaction to the show in some fashion. At least it should, because with Matt on a downward spiral with drug addiction, this apparent failure feeds into his suspicion that any trouble with the show is the fault of his writing.

Jordan’s absence is covered nicely by Jack’s presence. Jordan is under heavy fire for her choices, and Jack can only protect her so far. Danny’s mistake with the propmaster union, by virtue of his relationship with Jordan, could have disastrous consequences should the program take a ratings hit from the subsequent problems. I would hope that all of this would play into the final arc.

It’s great to see Cal in the spotlight, because his frenetic production style is one of the highlights of the series. Busfield has a wonderful sense of comic timing, and despite the fact that it could be well over the top, he keeps it reined in just enough to make it viable and believable. It’s also great to see him work with Alison Janney again; they have a comfortable chemistry that works regardless of what characters they play.

It’s also interesting to get a glimpse of how the rest of the cast is dealing with the Matt/Harriet issue. There is that real world reaction to the person who’s been in a long-term on/off relationship, where everyone else around that person just gets sick of the routine. Some members of the audience are in the same frame of mind, so it was good to see the characters themselves struggle with it.

There was also a subplot involving Simon, which focused on a less-than-admirable side of his personality. With so many characters searching for a meaningful relationship, it’s interesting to see someone with more of a reputation for playing the field. That said, it’s unfortunate that the “player” is the most prominent African-American character, since it seems a bit stereotypical. It’s still an amusing if predictable subplot, but it’s hard to ignore the implications.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4

Final Rating: 7/10

Lost 3.22/3.23: "Through the Looking Glass"

Written by Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse
Directed by Jack Bender

In which the plan against the Others is unleashed, Jack attempts to lead the tribe to safety and rescue, Charlie makes a critical choice, and by the end, everything changes…

Status Report

As mentioned previously, this episode represents the 60% completion point for the “Lost” epic. In terms of a novel, this is when the plot usually gets rather complicated. This is when the unexpected twists and revelations begin, when choices and consequences are most important. Since the series is more or less five seasons long (in terms of the number of episodes), there’s an interesting basis for comparison.

Some might remember the series “Babylon 5”, a science fiction series from the 1990s that had a unique structure. It had a planned beginning, middle, and end, stretched across five seasons, with a measured progression of plot and character arcs along the way. Without getting into details, the third season of “Babylon 5” involved a rising conflict with a mysterious enemy, with the season finale bringing that conflict to an important crossroads. Unexpectedly, early in the fourth season, this conflict (which had been building since the middle of the first season) came to a definitive end, though this led to a series of other important revelations and consequences. (Fans of both shows might see other parallels as well.)

This was brought to mind by this episode, because the Others have been the mysterious enemy since roughly the middle of the first season, and in this episode, Ben begins to explain his rationale. It’s not particularly new, for those paying attention over the stretch of the third season, but it does point to the possibility (predicted previously) that the JackLocke Tribe and the Others might have a common enemy.

Ben has insisted for quite some time that contact with the outside world should be limited at best. He’s taken measures to keep people on the island against their will, and he has contact with assets in the outside world to ensure that people learn about the island on his terms. On one level, his association with Jacob give him reason. On another level, it appears that he might have good reason to want the island to be preserved.

The tale of Desmond and Penelope has suggested an interesting and complex scenario. As previously speculated in the review for “Live Together, Die Alone” (the second season finale), Desmond’s arrival on the island and his effective imprisonment in the Swan Station seems to have its origins with Penny’s father. If so, Charles Widmore might have known the general location of the island, but not its exact location.

After the end of the second season, Penny’s people had found evidence of the island’s location, and as this episode proves out, her efforts over the subsequent weeks to contact someone on the island to find Desmond had been substantial. Surely, this would have been discovered by her father, who might see an upside to finding Desmond, the island, and taking control before Penny can make her own move.

This would be in keeping with the producers’ comments regarding the deep importance of the tale of Desmond and Penelope, and how it sits at the heart of the series’ mythology. It also justifies Ben and his draconian measures. All the evidence suggests that the Widmore machine is substantial and destructive, and if anyone would want to find and exploit the island and its properties, it would be Widmore. And Widmore would be able to send someone with a picture of Desmond and a satellite phone along with a small fleet of mercenaries to find and occupy the island.

This is what Ben is trying to prevent, and with a potential threat on the horizon, his tactics need to change. Previously, he’s seen the JackLocke tribe as grist for the mill, a source of replenishment of his population and further biological tests to solve the fertility problem. Now, he needs them, and oddly enough, the JackLocke tribe may need him, especially if his warnings come true.

This places the flash-forward in this episode in an interesting context. One might assume that Jack, Kate, and the other rescued survivors in that unknown future time period were rescued by Naomi’s group. However, the evidence suggests something far more complex and deadly. If Ben is correct, the island will be coming under assault by those with little interest in rescuing anyone.

Jack, in the future, was seen as a hero “twice over” after he saved a woman from a car accident that he, indirectly, brought to pass. The first incidence of heroism, it seems, had been his effort to get the JackLocke tribe rescued. At least some of the main characters survived to that point, and it was an open and positive enough rescue process for the media and public to see him as heroic well after the fact. More than that, Jack was trying to find the island again, suggesting that whatever was profound about the island was still present and unspoiled.

It is also suggested that Jack had to make some difficult and morally questionable choices to ensure rescue, and nothing that happens on the island in this particular episode meets that level of psychological duress. Had Sayid, Bernard, and Jin died, it might have been another story. But the only major casualty was Charlie, who chose his own fate.

What this points to is a major arc, perhaps stretching over the entire fourth season, where the island is invaded by Naomi’s group and Jack realizes that it was a massive mistake. The only means of survival might be an alliance with the Others, who have now lost some of their best operatives. Presumably, this would eventually end with effective resistance against the invaders, but would end with Penny and her people rescuing the survivors.

If true, then Jack’s story in the “future” would represent a fifth or sixth season boundary point, not the end of the series. The full measure of the story may require that the survivors be rescued and then, in some lesser fashion, find their way back to the island to finish what was started. Stepping back into the outside world, as mentioned in the review for “Greatest Hits”, would give the writers a way to explore the various connections to the island and its history beyond the island itself, as Jack and those willing to return with him look into how to do so.

To keep the story powerful and unusual, this could all happen concurrently, much as this episode accomplishes. The story of what happened leading up to and beyond the flash-forward in this episode, seen from the point of view of several key characters, could weave into the story of how the invaders were repelled and the subsequent rescue took place. And this would allow the writers, at some future point, to spend very little time in the outside world before returning to the island. (At that point, one would expect the narrative to shift again.)

This is all speculation, of course, and the series could take a completely different path. But this would facilitate the concept of redemption. If the island demands that people change, on some fundamental level, then it’s more than just a shift of psychology on the island. The survivors must follow through on those choices. In essence, the way of the island (taking down those who cannot change and redeem themselves) continues. For example, if Sawyer comes to terms with his past on the island, following “The Brig”, then he must inevitably follow through on the potential for change after leaving the island.

Speaking of relationships, this is another aspect suggesting a time period between this finale and the actual rescue. The suggestion is that Kate and Sawyer found a life together after the rescue (though this is intentionally vague, and might be completely different than expected). As of this episode, however, Sawyer is pushing Kate away. Jack also has a budding relationship with Juliet, but she’s nowhere to be seen in the flash-forward. (This aspect is, quite possibly, the only redeeming quality of the Polygon of Tortured Love.)

Taking that and the redemptive concept in mind, Jack’s future trouble is in keeping with the idea that his progression was incomplete. He wasn’t meant to leave yet. Perhaps none of them were, but he certainly wasn’t. It may be that return to the island would be fatal, but it’s also possible that he needs to uncover the truth about the island to complete his journey. His “future” difficulties are indicative of a self-destructive transition from the man of science and reason to a man of faith, not unlike Locke. This episode suggests that Locke’s death, unnoted by everyone but Jack, triggers Jack into taking on that destiny.

Some might balk at the need for using Jack as the POV character for the future, but for better or worse, he is the central character as seen in the pilot. Jack and Locke represent two important philosophies on the show, and one would expect that Jack’s journey would be a through-line for the series as a whole. The fact that Jack is reviled is not necessarily a reason to avoid his point of view; if anything, it would make his potential redemption upon return to the island more compelling. That said, it would be expected that the “future” time period would be seen again from other perspectives.

In the “present” on the island, Locke hits yet another crisis of faith, as evidenced by his inability to walk and his decision to commit suicide. Walt’s apparent appearance changes that, restoring his faith. Though some might interpret Walt as a return of the character, this is unlikely. Looking back on “The Cost of Living”, this is more likely a manifestation of the “monster”, taking on a form that Locke would find meaningful. This once again suggests, in light of the speculation above, a link between Jacob, the “monster”, and the central mystery of the island. With the future of the island at stake, Locke is sent to eliminate that threat.

The flash-forward and Jack’s mission to the radio tower includes the long-awaited reunion between Danielle and Alex. This could lead to the revelation of how Ben came to be Alex’s adoptive father and what happened 16 years earlier. Even without those answers, this plot point pays off some of the lingering questions from the first season.

The other major subplot of the episode involves Charlie and Desmond. As expected, Desmond’s vision comes true, even if not in the expected manner. Charlie’s choice is just as selfless as ever, with his concern being Desmond’s survival and the salvation of his friends. More than the previous episode, Charlie’s sacrificial choice is an active decision. He could have run out the door, but he understood that Desmond heard Penny’s voice and would happily let himself drown to speak with her.

Some criticized the notion that this sacrificial moment is a progression for Charlie, but it’s a subtle distinction from his former behavior. While Charlie has nearly died on several occasions, and he’s been willing to toss himself into harm’s way to save Claire and others, that’s a reactive decision. It’s been a matter of personal gain or spur of the moment. In this case, Charlie made the decision to sacrifice himself, took steps towards that end, and mentally prepared himself for his own end. All that matters was the mission. That represents Charlie’s redemption: making a familiar choice, but this time, for the right reasons.

The subplot on the beach may have been less substantial than the flash-forward, the road to rescue, or Charlie’s sacrifice, but it managed to pull off the most satisfying moment of the finale. Hurley’s unexpected rescue, using the van from “Tricia Tanaka is Dead”, once again proved that the character has depth and purpose. He was also present for one of Sawyer’s less heroic moments.

For all that Sawyer’s killing of Tom plays off yet another element of the first season, it also speaks to the darkness that is eating at Sawyer’s soul. This is entirely appropriate. Sawyer may have the opportunity to redeem himself and find a life beyond Sawyer and revenge, but that doesn’t mean that finding himself will be a quick and easy process. James Ford has a great deal of potential, but days after killing his nemesis, he’s still Sawyer.

Beyond that, the episode is full of little moments of near perfection. Juliet’s attitude is spot on, making her survival to this point all the more satisfying. Speaking of satisfying, there’s Sayid and his Bauer-esque dispatch of his captor. There’s Mikhail and his unrelenting habit of surviving just about anything (and he probably survived the damn grenade, too!). There’s Bonnie and Greta, two characters that would have been fun to see again. There’s Ben and his rising panic, completely consistent with his character to date. And there’s the inherent tone of the episode, which makes it feel more like a film than a simple television episode.

Yet it all comes back to the “game changing” decision to open the narrative into the “future”, widening the scope in a powerful way and generating an entirely new realm of speculation and creativity. Those who read spoilers were probably underwhelmed, but familiarity does breed contempt, and one must have perspective. This gives the writers a means of keeping the series fresh while implementing an interesting and character-rich twist.

At the beginning of the review, “Babylon 5” was mentioned. As some fans might recall, shortly after the end of the third season, when the major conflict ended earlier than expected, some considered the rest of the series to be a matter of diminishing returns. Some might wonder if “Lost” will suffer the same fate. One must point out that there was a major contributor to the “Babylon 5” downturn (overstated as it is): an incredibly messy conflict over renewal and the likelihood of finishing out the series as intended.

“Lost”, unlike “Babylon 5”, has been given a clear timetable. The path to the end is in hand. The writers should not have to concern themselves with adjusting the narrative in anticipation of cancellation. As such, the plot and character arcs can unfold as desired. For those willing to let the story be told on the creators’ terms, this episode represents a promise that it will be more than worth the wait.

Final Analysis

Overall, this episode was a powerful season finale, changing the face of “Lost” in a major way while preserving the underlying elements that make the series unique. Fans will be discussing and debating this episode right up until the fourth season premiere, which feels all too far away for comfort. This is the perfect ending to a season that brought “Lost” back to its former glory.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 4/4

Final Rating: 10/10

(Season 3 Final Average: 7.9)

24 6.24: "Day 6: 5AM - 6AM"

Written by Robert Cochran, Manny Coto, and David Fury
Directed by Brad Turner

In which Vice President Daniels sets in motion a plan to stop Philip Bauer, which puts Jack on a short timetable for rescuing Josh…

Status Report

(This review covers the second half of the sixth season finale; the first half was covered under a separate review.)

The penultimate hour of the sixth season ended with Chloe collapsing as a final showdown between Jack and Philip Bauer approached. It was practically the perfect mixture for the end of the sixth season: the combination of squandered potential and unnecessary drama. That said, the producers chose three of the best writers on staff to bring the season to a close. The question is whether or not the effort is too little, too late.

Right from the beginning, a timetable is set: Jack has less than 30 minutes to rescue his nephew and defeat his father. Despite the urgency of the situation with Jack, Morris has more than enough time to worry over Chloe. As far as the Daniels’ administration is concerned, taking out the oil platform with an air strike is the best option, because the Russians expect nothing less. It puts Jack in a high pressure situation without Chloe to provide him the usual backup.

Jack’s only assistance comes from Bill Buchanan, who fulfills the role filled by Tony Almeida and Wayne Palmer before him: Jack’s right-hand man in the final struggle. Nadia gives Jack nominal support from CTU, but it’s not the same as having Chloe leading the technical charge. If nothing else, Jack’s assault on the oil platform is explosive, and it gives him the chance to take some measure of revenge from Cheng.

After setting up the confrontation between Jack and his father, it’s unexpected for Josh to be the one to shoot Philip and bring the whole mess to an end. Jack doesn’t have to face down his father to restore himself; he simply has to walk away. It’s a pitiful ending that apparently eliminates any chance of satisfactory answers to several key questions. (Of course, it must be noted that Philip was sitting right next to an operable boat, and he could have conceivably escaped.)

With most of the action done and over with, attention turns to giving the season a semi-dignified ending. Tom pleads for Karen Hayes’ release from custody, which probably extends to Bill Buchanan. Chloe predictably reveals her pregnancy, which is a moment that will live in series infamy and will probably bring about more than its share of “jump the shark” claims. And after all he’s been through, Jack is given the chance to determine his own fate.

Jack’s confrontation with Heller was interesting, because it was completely unexpected. That said, it’s a bit too much given how little setup was involved. Jack is absolutely right: he’s become what people like Heller needed him to be, and it’s unfair of them to act with less loyalty than they demanded. All that said, Heller is also right: Jack cannot protect Audrey the way he wants to, and it will tear him up inside when he fails. And ultimately, Jack makes the right call for Audrey, if not necessarily for himself. With that decision, the realization that he cannot be with someone while doing what he does best, Jack’s personal journey back to himself comes to a conclusion.

The stage is set for the series to take a different direction in the next season, and if this finale is any indication, it will be absolutely necessary. This brings Jack to a point not unlike his personal crisis at the end of the third season, which is actually rather appropriate, considering how similar the seasons were. The writers took a good swing at a satisfying ending, but with so much left unresolved and inexplicable plot twists right up until the final hour, this was, in fact, too little, too late.

Final Analysis

Overall, this season finale is as disappointing as most of the season that came before it. Because so little time remains to bring resolution to the laundry list of lingering plot threads, what is covered seems all the more important. Because most of that falls flat, the episode fails on both levels. By the end of this installment, it’s more obvious than ever that the series needs a fresh approach.

Writing: 1/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 0/4

Final Rating: 5/10

(Season 6 Final Average: 6.7)

24 6.23: "Day 6: 4AM - 5AM"

Written by Joel Surnow and Michael Loceff
Directed by Brad Turner

In which Doyle tries to outmatch Philip Bauer while Jack is out of commission and in custody, but maneuvering behind the scenes at CTU and the White House continues…

Status Report

(This review covers the first half of the sixth season finale; the second half will be covered under a separate review.)

Coming into this season finale, the writers left themselves quite a difficult task. Character motivations were all over the map, several lingering plot threads were left unresolved, and most fans were fed up with the lack of forethought. With so much sloppy storytelling this season, a strong ending was too much to hope for; it was a matter of letting things end with some measure of dignity.

Daniels has once again led the country to the brink of war, and this time, it comes down to Jack’s “replacement” Mike Doyle and his plan to recover Josh from Philip Bauer. Philip seems to want a way out of responsibility for his past actions, and that means relocating his business interests to China. How this meshes with what has come before is hard to reconcile, but it is what it is.

The writers may have understood their mistake with Bill Buchanan, as they bring him into the finale after a mishandled previous exit. One might wonder why the agents on site fail to monitor Bill’s phone calls when everything else is fair game, but at this point, it’s all about moving the plot along and delivering as much excitement as possible.

Much of the drama in this episode plods along, especially once Mike is left to decide where his conscience lies. The issues with Marilyn Bauer seem like a waste of time, especially once it becomes grist for the Chloe/Morris mill. The business with Milo’s brother is another such example. It’s designed, it seems, to make it sensible for Bill to have enough time to get to Jack. How he gets to the point where he can ambush Jack’s driver is impossible to accept, but that’s what the writers are reduced to this season.

More time is spent wallowing over Karen Hayes and her decision to help break Jack out of custody. It gives the audience more than enough time to consider how far the season has strayed from its origins. The issue of Fayed’s attacks on the nation seems rather far removed from the posturing of the possible hostilities with Russia and China. The terrorism was an immediate, clear and present danger; Daniels’ state of play is too remote and academic to have even a fraction of the impact.

Philip’s double-cross is hardly a shock, though it’s too bad that Doyle had to pay the price. Of course, with his replacement out of commission, Jack must either admit failure or fully commit to his own retrieval mission. There’s really no question. As poorly executed as it might have been, Jack’s personal journey back to his particular brand of heroism can end no other way.

With a single hour left to the sixth season, a final showdown between father and son is waiting in the wings. Of course, that’s not enough; there must also be a completely random issue with Chloe (knowing this season, probably the first signs of pregnancy). Rather than focus the final hour on providing some answers, the writers apparently feel the need to insert more needless CTU drama. Then again, given how the season has turned out, this is not much of a surprise.

Final Analysis

Overall, this episode feels like another transitional installment, which is surprising, given that this was the beginning of the season finale. It’s more than a little obvious that the writers are grasping at some kind of vague sense of satisfaction for the audience, but for many, this will only add to the frustrations.

Writing: 1/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4

Final Rating: 6/10

(Season 6 Average: 6.7)

Heroes 1.23: "How to Stop an Exploding Man"

Written by Tim Kring
Directed by Allan Arkush

The entire season has come to this: the showdown between Sylar and the assembled heroes. From the opening montage, the full measure of the season’s progress becomes plain. It’s amazing to think that so much has happened this season, and how much of it has been built slowly but steadily since the very first episode.

As the episode opens, Nathan is preparing to leave New York before the storm comes crashing down. With Linderman dead, it all comes down on his shoulders to continue the plan, and his mother is happy to remind him of it. That choice pits brother against brother, which is a nice bit of symmetry. It also represents a nice crossroads for Claire, who must choose between her biological family and her adoptive family. The Petrelli clan has been at the heart of the story since the pilot, so this focus makes a great deal of sense.

It also leads to another link to the past, and an unexpected one at that. Who expected Simone’s father to be part of Linderman’s old team? As seen in many recent episodes, there is a consistent generational aspect to the series. This makes one wonder what ability, if any, Simone might have had. Like Molly, it’s another strong link to the beginning of the season. It definitely feels like the end of one volume, with several threads coming together.

With DL dying and Micah missing, it comes down to Niki and Jessica to find a way to get out of Dodge. For all the fun we’ve had with Candice before, she becomes quite important to the Niki/Jessica character arc in the end. The fight is over far too quickly, and the integration of the two sides of Niki’s psyche feels like an afterthought.

Mohinder and Mr. Bennett battle over Molly’s fate, a matter complicated by Claire’s involvement with Peter and his battle with Sylar. Despite her medical condition, Molly is the most obvious means for finding Sylar, and Mr. Bennett knows it. As seen in “Five Years Gone”, Mr. Bennett will make all kinds of unusual and unexpected choices when Claire’s fate is at stake.

Throughout it all, Hiro is there, looking for Ando, hoping for the chance to save his friend while still saving the world. The initial showdown with Sylar is a nice taste of things to come, and sets Hiro on the final step of his journey to heroism. It comes just in time for Peter to come out of his vision quest, with Mr. Bennett (revealed as “Noah”) at his side.

Much like Niki’s integration, Sylar’s defeat comes far too quickly and easily (as does his survival). It feels incredibly anti-climactic after everything that has come before it, though it was interesting to discover that Sylar ultimately saw himself as the hero, facing down Peter to save the world from the exploding Peter! It’s always better when the villain can justify his or her actions on some reasonable level.

The resolution to Peter’s dilemma is more unexpected, and brings the conflict between the Petrelli brothers to a close for the moment, since it’s unlikely that they both died in the explosion. Claire and Mr. Bennett find common ground, Niki’s family appears to be together and relatively well, and while Matt’s fate is uncertain, the death toll is rather slim. It appears that the plan to clear the decks and focus on new heroes in the second season may have been misdirection.

All things being equal, two things come to mind. First, the generational nature of the series, tied together with the unusual symbol and the eclipse, will come to define the next volume of the story. That seems fitting. Second, Molly mentioned that there was something far worse than Sylar out there, which will hopefully lead into something more substantial and satisfying than this season finale. As it stands, this particular conclusion is a startling disappointment.

Writing: 1/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4

Final Rating: 6/10

(Season 1 Final Average: 7.7)

Stargate: Atlantis 3.16: "The Ark"

Written by Ken Cuperus and Scott Nimerfro
Directed by Martin Wood

“Stargate: Atlantis” is approaching an interesting crossroads. While the flagship “SG-1” is approaching the end of its run, “SGA” is coming to the end of its current incarnation. After this season, cast changes will take place as characters from “SG-1” are absorbed. So while the series is not ending this season, for many, the feeling is much the same. Any episode that seems extraneous or self-contained is an episode that doesn’t deal with the big picture as originally conceived with the current cast.

Of course, the series is hardly a stranger to cast changes, and there’s no reason to think that the series will suddenly fall apart at the seams. It’s possible to enjoy the material on its own merits. Similarly, this episode can be enjoyed for what it is, warts and all. There are some flaws, and it lacks much connection to the current plot threads, but it’s still a competent stand-alone.

In essence, this episode gets back to some of the earliest episodes, where the team would encounter the legacy of the Ancient-Wraith war on world after world. The incursions of the Wraith are always a matter of tragedy, and this episode’s situation is no exception. In fact, by the time Jamis gives his confession to Teyla, the level of sacrifice is staggering.

For the most part, this is another Sheppard/McKay show, with a liberal dose of Ronon and Teyla tossed in for fun. It’s great to see Teyla get more screen time, even if her character continues to be relatively simple and a bit of a stereotype. Ronon, on the other hand, continues to be fun but offers nothing new. There are some good McKay moments (despite a seeming lack of change after the previous episode), and Sheppard is heroic, but this is not an episode devoted to character.

For me, the episode was elevated by Kenneth Welsh, an actor that has been on my radar since his time on “Twin Peaks”. If nothing else, he’s demonstrated an ability to transcend some questionable writing with a committed performance. This time around, he’s given a fairly meaty role and he sells it.

It’s not a perfect episode. There are few odd plot conveniences and logic problems. My favorite is the scene where Sheppard and Ronon struggle to seal the room they’re in as the moon base vents atmosphere. They struggle to close one door, and then struggle to close the other door in the opposite direction. That makes absolutely no sense at all, but despite those writing woes, I was quite entertained.

Writing: 1/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 7/10

Stargate SG-1 10.16: "Bad Guys"

Written by Martin Gero
Directed by Peter DeLuise

The main issue with the tenth and final season of “SG-1” has been consistency. While many were shocked when the end of the series was announced, that was more a matter of timing. The series had managed to avoid the chopping block for half its life, after initial cancellation at the end of the fifth season on Showtime. Knowing all of that, it’s surprising how little time has been spent clearing the decks and wrapping up plot threads.

For instance, who expected the producers, with only a handful of episodes left, to trot out a stand-alone installment with only the most tenuous links to the overall season arc? Granted, this was the problem with the ninth season as well, and a problem with the second half of nearly every season for shows given this “split season” format. The first half seems to be dominated by plot-heavy material, and the second half seems to deviate into stand-alone territory.

Knowing all of this, it would be easy to dismiss this episode and let frustration take its toll. That would be an unfortunate mistake, because taken on its own, this is a fairly amusing episode. No matter how serious the situation seems to get, there’s an underlying comic touch. This has been the hallmark of the series since its inception (though it was once a bit more subtle), and this episode keeps the tradition alive.

Beyond its surprising entertainment value, the episode is notable for its unusual guest star. Joshua Malina is better known for his dramatic work (“West Wing”, “A Few Good Men”) and his dry comic delivery than his appearances in genre television. At first, I thought my eyes and ears were deceiving me! Malina’s presence is both positive and negative. It’s positive in that it lends a certain legitimacy to the series, even at this late hour, but negative in that his character lacks depth and his performance pales to his better-known work.

That said, this is “SG-1”, and few members of the audience are looking for scripts on the level of an Aaron Sorkin. It’s all about the entertainment value, and the episode delivers that (and some twists and turns) rather well. If one can overcome the frustration of yet another stand-alone episode when so little time remains until the end, this is a pleasant hour’s worth of diversion.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4

Final Rating: 7/10

Smallville 6.22: "Phantom"

Written by Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin
Directed by James Marshall

A number of fans get upset when I compare “Smallville” to “Heroes”. However, in this case, there’s an important point to be made, relevant to this season finale and why it doesn’t quite come together as it could have.

Both shows have delved into the promotional aspects of online storytelling aids. “Heroes”, for example, has a massive amount of official online content, most of which is within continuity and adds to the depth of the show. “Smallville” has introduced a contest and advertising partnership that allows tales of the recent Justice League to be told, in pseudo-comic book form, during commercial breaks.

The difference is in how the two shows use and incorporate the online information. “Heroes” may have a massive online component, but it’s not necessary to read or watch any of it to understand or appreciate the show. Someone could watch “Heroes”, never go any further, and get a complete story. The online content simply explores the “Heroes” world in more depth.

“Smallville”, on the other hand, seems to advance its story in fits and starts, sometimes in contradictory fashion, with little or no hint of an overall series arc or mythology, beyond what is already more or less set in stone. The online component, however, has in short order introduced a mythology that ultimately changes and informs the interpretation of the entire series up to this point.

While I admittedly have yet to see the full range of information, here’s the gist: Virgil Swann, Genevieve Teague, Robert Queen, and Lionel Luthor came together, before the original meteor shower, to deal with the discovery of alien technology/artifacts on Earth, heralding an upcoming invasion by General Zod. While the team worked for many years on the issue, setting up programs to develop a human army to repel the threat, Luthor and Teague went “rogue”. The genesis of nearly every aspect of LuthorCorp’s ongoing attempt to study “meteor freaks” and alter humanity, right up to the current Project 33.1/Ares, is a product of that original mandate.

Here’s my point: why would the writers leave something so vast, promising, and mind-blowing out of the main series and relegate it to an optional online promotional game? And why only hint at it in commercials that look more like ads than additional and vital content? Looking back on the season finale and everything leading up to it, how hard would it have been to weave this information into the season arc and justify several seasons of apparent non-advancement?

Suddenly Lex’s justifications about Project 33.1 make more sense; they are his corrupted version of the army the original team came together to create and manage. Lionel’s interest in Clark and his welfare, especially over time, fits into the framework of a man seeking redemption for the result of his own greed. Add the context of his connection to Jor-El, and Lionel’s character arc emerges.

None of that, however, can repair the damage done to Lex over the course of his marriage to Lana. At this point, the writers clearly have no intention of explaining the pregnancy retcon of recent episodes, and so his personal motivations are a mess. It’s gotten to the point where the context of any dialogue between Lex and Clark is so vague and hard to interpret that the conversations seem tossed together at random.

I’ve been saying all along that Lana must die for the season arc to conclude in a logical fashion; this is effectively accomplished in this episode, even if it’s clear that Lana manufactured her own apparent demise. The circumstances of her fake death were blatant; the question is whether or not Lana will return. If she does, her knowledge regarding Clark will become a major issue.

Whatever the case, with few people left to offer solid guidance, Clark is struggling with his moral compass. He was ready to kill Lionel, and that’s a major step into dark territory. If circumstances hadn’t changed, what would he have done to Lex? Clark is letting his temper get the better of his judgment. It would be interesting for the writers to explore this in the final season, but given their track record, it’s hard to imagine that they will.

The most egregious error, however, is the apparent loss of Chloe, who seemed to use her meteor-freak ability to resurrect Lois, at the cost of her own life. A very similar plot twist took place on “Supernatural”, and the difference was startling. This felt like it came out of nowhere, especially since the nature of Chloe’s ability was never explored. Also, Chloe was an important part of what made the series work. Hopefully this too will be a red herring.

The showdown between Clark and Bizarro (for those who missed the complete non-sequitur reference in the episode’s final line) was impressive enough, and the final Zoner was actually quite creepy. As action set pieces go, that was a good one, and it left the episode with a serviceable cliffhanger.

Ironically, taken on its own merits, this is not a bad season finale. It offered up a number of important changes and set the stage for an interesting final season, if the writers manage to capitalize on the potential.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4

Final Rating: 7/10

(Season 6 Final Average: 6.9)

Supernatural 2.22: "All Hell Breaks Loose: Part II"

Written by Eric Kripke and Michael Moore
Directed by Kim Manners

Since the beginning of the series, and in nearly every single review in between, I’ve pointed out that two key factors give “Supernatural” a solid and powerful foundation: deep character development and strong continuity. Both come into play in this season finale, and the results are stunning and entirely satisfying.

As noted in the review for the previous episode, the entire season arc and the nature of the first half of the story necessitates that this finale focus on Dean and his psychological reaction to Sam’s death. The question has always been: how far will Dean go to save his brother, and at what cost? That question is now answered. Dean offered his immortal soul to hell to bring Sammy back to life, and the consequences are going to be brutal.

As pointed out in the episode on several occasions, this is the end result of Dean’s belief that he was supposed to die. He sees himself as completely expendable, especially in comparison to Sam, and his decision to step back into the crossroads (a wonderful example of continuity) is in keeping with that psychology. It’s the difference between having something to die for and having something to live for; Dean, in essence, has been harboring a death wish since John’s deal with the demon.

Unfortunately, in his desire to cut a deal, Dean may not have thought of all the potential problems. What is the assurance that Sam is still completely Sam? Already in the course of the series, the lesson has been reinforced: bringing people back from the dead is a very bad idea. There’s no telling what will really come back, and with the demonic legacy already in play, Sam’s behavior could be troublesome.

Both Dean’s damnation sentence and Sam’s post-resurrection status should play into the character arcs of the third season, beyond the simple plot arc implications. Looking at the big picture, the demon may be dead (more on that in a second), but the demon’s army has been unleashed. The hunters are in disarray, the Winchesters are still fugitives, and Sam is still the potential leader for the demonic horde. Those issues and connections keep a more vague and open-ended situation from becoming impersonal.

As noted, beyond the character development, continuity is a high point of the episode. Elements that were critical to the first season finale get further clarification and play directly into the culmination of this season (namely, the Colt). John Winchester’s involvement may have been a bit of a “deus ex machina” situation, with a slight excess of sentiment for good measure, but it made sense for John to be there to help take down the demon once and for all.

Unlike the first season finale, which ended on a major cliffhanger despite some worries of a second season pickup, this was a masterful demonstration of how a season finale can be crafted as a potential series finale. Major arcs were resolved, a new status quo results, and seeds are planted for potential third season story and character advancements. If the series had ended here, it would have been satisfying, but the fact that the series will continue makes this the perfect climax to a superior season.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 4/4

Final Rating: 10/10

(Season 2 Final Average: 7.9)

Lost 3.21: "Greatest Hits"

Written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz
Directed by Stephen Williams

In which Desmond presents Charlie with an unfortunate choice, Jack asserts his leadership and presents a plan to defend against the Others, while the prospect of rescue looms over all…

Status Report

Throughout the third season, the writers have presented a case for Charlie’s demise. Desmond has saved him at least four times, sometimes at apparent personal cost. That knowledge has pushed Charlie into consideration of his life and his choices, and while the self-centeredness remains, it’s not quite so prominent. Sooner or later, of course, Charlie was going to have to face up to fate, and that moment comes in this episode.

Coming into this episode, Charlie had resisted true redemption at least twice. He had the opportunity early in the series with Locke, who thought that the island would make his guidance a simple matter. That wasn’t quite true, and Charlie was tempted by his past. Eko was something of a mentor for Charlie, but that situation was borne out of dishonest intentions, and so nothing came of it. Now with Desmond, Charlie has a compelling reason to consider his choices and his self-worth.

The way of the island has been fairly consistent: those who embrace change live, those who resist change die. Charlie has been resisting change, and so his fate has apparently been sealed. Faced with the possibility of saving Claire and Aaron through the ultimate self-sacrifice, one could argue that Charlie finally makes a critical psychological change, placing the interests of others above his own. And in the way of the island, that presents the possibility of salvation.

That possibility doesn’t present itself until the very end, which is a nice touch. The writers take it far enough to ensure that Charlie is willing and ready to die for Claire and Aaron, so his psychological choice is made and committed. Selling that reality is an important element of the episode’s success. He earns redemption in a manner that feels satisfying to the audience, and it’s possible that his capture is the result of that possible reprieve. On the other hand, Desmond’s vision could still come true. Charlie is hardly out of the woods yet!

This is important, because without this important step in Charlie’s character arc, this transitional episode would have been a lot less satisfying. This was really a matter of staging the pieces on the board in the positions necessary for the season finale, and Charlie’s part was just one of several important movements. The writers did an excellent job of letting the character arc drive what could have been rather impersonal.

Beyond Charlie, there was the reestablishment of Jack as the warrior chieftain of the JackLocke tribe. With Sawyer and Sayid reaffirming their own roles over the past several episodes, this was an important consideration. One might quibble over Jack’s abrasive (and almost petulant) attitude, but faced with stiff opposition, he had to assert his control. It’s practically impossible for Jack to do otherwise, given his psychology. (And in fact, in light of the way of the island, Jack has been in the crosshairs for quite some time for that very reason.) It’s also excellent that Sayid, as the tribal sheriff, takes command of the military action.

That said, Jack’s plan is hard to argue against, and it’s great to see some of the lingering plot threads coming together. Danielle has been a resource waiting to be employed, and previous episodes this season have hinted at this larger role. This ties in nicely with her scene in “The Brig”, and given that her repeating radio signal from the pilot is getting in the way, the radio tower she mentioned back in the first season comes into play. Together with the underwater station, something that was all but revealed in “Enter Seven Seven”, the radio tower represents a payoff for minor plot points that have gathered for years.

In terms of the Others, there’s more of a parallel between Ben and Jack than has been shown in previous episodes. In retrospect, of course, it’s all right there on the screen. Just like Jack, Ben has been facing resistance by other sources of leadership in his camp. And like Jack, Ben asserts his control by proposing a plan of action, dismissing potential conflicts of personal interest in the process.

The difference, of course, is that Jack finds a way to bring his alliance with Juliet in line with the demands of the tribe’s survival. Juliet’s knowledge, while given for unknown reasons, is useful to the survival of the JackLocke tribe, especially with the potential for rescue. Ben, on the other hand, saw his own turncoat as a threat and took him out of the equation. It remains to be seen if that difference plays into the circumstances of the season finale.

The potential for rescue should not be seen as a red herring; after all, Penny Widmore has the resources and the willpower to see it through, if a signal can be sent. And wouldn’t that be a “game changer” on a level beyond simple speculation? Especially when one considers that the rescue could seem to be going off without a hitch and run into massive complications. It could come down to some of the characters getting off the island, trying to work out a way to rescue those remaining behind. That would provide the writers with a mechanism for exploring the big picture surrounding the island and the Others.

For now, of course, massive questions remain. Will Charlie be able to escape his captors and stop the signal from being jammed? Will the JackLocke tribe manage to hold off the Others’ latest kidnapping campaign? Will the mission to the radio tower be successful? What about Locke and his current status? Beyond that, there are personal issues to be explored, which more than justifies a two-hour finale.

Final Analysis

Overall, this episode is a powerful prelude to the season finale, setting the stage for the culmination of plot threads that have been building for the past year. By allowing the plot elements to take place within the backdrop of a satisfying character moment, the writers avoided the typical letdown of pre-finale installments. Once again, the writers prove that “Lost” is still at the top of its game.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

(Season Average: 7.7)

Heroes 1.22: "Landslide"

Written by Jesse Alexander
Directed by Greg Beeman

This episode picks up right where the previous installment left off, with things coming to a head on several levels. Sylar is still a major threat, Linderman’s plan is still on track, and destinies are in question. What better way to start a finale for the most impressive freshman series of the season?

With Nathan trailing the polls, Linderman is ready to take matters into his own hands. Or rather, into Micah’s hands, which was somewhat predictable (though in a good way). It all serves to put Nathan in the hot seat, especially when Linderman hands him a restored wife as something of a bribe. His scene with Hiro was particularly telling. At this point, Nathan seems to agree that the ends justify the means.

Nathan’s victory is almost an afterthought, especially since his plot involving Jessica and DL begins immediately thereafter. Out of all the scenes in the episode, I think this is the least effective and most poorly acted, just because the build to this moment has not been as steady. For all the faults with those characters, however, the showdown with Linderman was quite interesting. DL’s contribution to the arc now seems to be revealed, beyond his influence on Niki and Jessica (if Linderman is indeed dead).

The intersection of Mr. Bennett and Matt with Mohinder and Molly is just another example of a clever plotting move and a nice bit of symmetry. It makes sense that Sylar would want to take the abilities of a natural tracking system for superhumans. It also should allow the heroes to track down Sylar. That aspect of her ability could give Mr. Bennett a reason to let her live.

The scenes between Micah and Candice were interesting, particular the hint that Candice is really larger than she appears. In fact, that’s not surprising, in retrospect, because someone with the ability to alter their appearance would naturally choose a personally-pleasing aspect. (And if she really is an overweight black woman, that certainly opens a number of interesting doors for exploring social perception issues. Not to mention criticism for the message it might send.)

In keeping with the generational theme that has emerged in the latter half of the season, Hiro must once again face his father to achieve his destiny. As expected, Hiro’s father was one of Linderman’s allies in the past. However, the interesting twist is that Hiro’s father has been working against Linderman from within the system, waiting for one of his heirs to emerge as a true hero. This is some of the best material for George Takei in his entire career, and the growth of Hiro’s resolve is more than worth the wait.

Watching Peter, Claire, and Ted walk around figuring out how to be a team was a lot of fun. That’s the kind of scene that fans have wanted to see since the pilot! And Sylar’s clever takedown of Ted continues to demonstrate how strong a villain he really is. He’s not just powerful; he’s also intelligent. My impression is that he sees opposition as another system to be understood and solved, and he acts accordingly (which probably works best on a thematic rather than literal level).

The episode was all about the final stages of setup, and while much of it depends on coincidence, that’s practically a comic book staple and more than appropriate for a series such as “Heroes”. In fact, if nothing else, this episode demonstrates how completely the writers and producers have embraced the conventions of the genre without apology, and the finale to come has definitely been earned.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

24 6.22: "Day 6: 3AM - 4AM"

Written by Howard Gordon and Evan Katz
Directed by Bryan Spicer

In which tensions escalate between the United States and Russia over control of the stolen circuit board, while Jack struggles to protect Josh from several of his enemies…

Status Report

With the return of Philip Bauer, the opportunity exists for the writers to bring resolution to a number of the lingering plot threads from much earlier in the season. There’s not a lot of time for it, but the opportunity is there, nonetheless. One big question, for instance, is Philip’s motivation beyond protecting his own business interests. His connection to Cheng is another element that could help expose the truth behind Jack’s release at the beginning of the season.

The retaking of CTU is a nice hand-to-hand struggle, though it mostly serves to gloss over the complication of putting Jack back into the field. Doyle is technically in command, which continues to place him in Jack’s usual role. In essence, Jack is still not himself again. As hinted earlier in the season, taking down his father might be the only way for Jack to overcome his psychological issues and return to his heroic stature.

That’s just the beginning of the action, though, as Jack races to save Josh. Philip’s motivations are clarified somewhat; he plays the best possible multinational angle for his business pursuits, and alliance with the Chinese is the best game in town, given his projections. This once again suggests connections that should have been made much earlier in the season.

Back at the White House, the sting operation with Lisa Miller plods along in the hopes of defusing an international incident, which is actually rather ironic, given Daniels’ previous activities. As far as Lisa’s concerned, she’s doing whatever it takes (for a rather long time, in fact) to make the operation work. All of this takes an inordinate amount of time, which could be better spent on other loose ends. This particular subplot all but destroyed the pacing and tension of the episode.

At CTU, despite some bad timing, Division comes down with exactly the right assessment of the situation. The circumstances at CTU were a complete embarrassment, long before Nadia was placed in charge, and the best thing she could do is leave well enough alone and hand over authority without argument.

The Russian president sets the timetable between this episode and the season finale, which comes down to the ability to recover the Russian circuit board from Cheng and deliver ample proof. This gives the writers two more episodes to put together the right connections and make them amenable. Unfortunately, with the episode ending as it does, there’s little or no hope of that.

Final Analysis

Overall, this episode plays like a transitional installment, which feels less like a measured development towards a palpable goal and more like a waste of precious time. Despite some well-staged combat early in the episode, most of the hour is spent on ridiculously slow exploration of a subplot that required far less material to make the same point. Once again, an episode that struggles to meet expectations.

Writing: 1/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 6/10

(Season 6 Average: 6.7)

Stargate: Atlantis 3.15: "The Game"

Written by Carl Binder, Don Whitehead, and Holly Henderson
Directed by William Waring

The previous episode felt like the SGA version of “Flowers for Algernon”. This episode immediately feels like the SGA version of “Ender’s Game” or “A Taste of Armageddon” from the original “Star Trek”, with a bit of the classic game “Civilization” tossed in for good measure. Why it would take three people to develop such a derivative story is hard to imagine, and of course, having so many cooks in the kitchen is a recipe for disaster.

The concept is always interesting, of course, because of the ethical issues involved. If nothing else, it’s hard to reconcile how entire societies would hand over their progress to an unseen “oracle”. It certainly adds another questionable layer to the Ancients’ intervention in the progress of less “evolved” civilizations.

The success of the episode lies in two areas: how each society fits within the personality of its “oracle”, and how the ethical quandary of controlling a civilization is addressed. The personality question is obvious in some ways, subtle in others. McKay’s society is all about scientific progress, and Sheppard’s society is aggressive and somewhat paranoid. The usual tension between McKay and Sheppard, particularly their competitive nature, is expressed very clearly.

As one might expect, people will make decisions and authorize actions that they usually would never agree with, if it’s all in the name of playing a game. In computer games in particular, aggression is practically a given. After all, conflict is a quick and easy source of action and excitement. Of course, in the real world, that’s not practical and completely unethical.

For all that McKay and Sheppard attempt to bring things back on track, the damage is done. It’s interesting to see how the two of them continue to think of the two nations as their own, even when it’s clear that the game is over. That adds to the ethical discussion. After all, forcing a diplomatic and peaceful solution to the conflict is, in essence, a continuance of the meddling, only with Weir in the driver’s seat. That measure is equally ineffective.

The end of the episode is a bit of a cop-out, though it wasn’t entirely unexpected. It would have been more interesting had the conflict been unavoidable, with McKay and Sheppard forced to deal with the material and psychological consequences. Instead, all’s well that ends well, and by the very end, it’s almost like nothing happened. It’s an unsatisfying end to what was a surprisingly effective episode.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4

Final Rating: 7/10

Stargate: SG-1 10.15: "Bounty"

Written by Damien Kindler
Directed by Peter DeLuise

The Lucien Alliance is to “SG-1” as the Genii are to “Stargate: Atlantis”. They are the go-to villains whenever the writers need a generic enemy to fight or complicate matters. As a result, their involvement in an episode is usually disappointing, because motivations are often situational. In this instance, the writers needed someone to send bounty hunters after the team. Who better than the Lucien Alliance?

That fuzzy beginning gets a lot more interesting as the focus turns to each team member as they go about their various mundane activities. Mitchell and Vala end up at his hometown for his high school reunion, Carter ends up at a convention, Daniel is studying, and Teal’c is back to dealing with Jaffa matters. Each is targeted in turn, and the response to each attack is where the fun begins.

The most time is spent with Mitchell and Vala at the reunion, which helps to flesh out Mitchell’s character a bit. It’s all quite consistent with the information given previously, fitting Cam’s down-home attitude quite well. It’s scary to think that Mtichell’s home town was so small that only a couple dozen people attended the reunion (almost as scary as the genetic Cure-esque music).

Daniel’s subplot was a bit odd, especially when the femme fatale was mashed by a bus, and Carter’s subplot would have worked better if the scenes had been cut to a more interesting pace. Those scenes progressed far too slowly. Even Teal’c’s scenes felt oddly paced. A bit more attention to balance early in the episode would have helped.

The reunion setting is played for laughs, and at times, the comedy is a bit too broad. That said, the mixture of the serious and the comic (and even tragic) works pretty well, once the situation begins to fall apart. Unfortunately, it seems to end just as it gets interesting, and the little issue of using alien technology in the middle of a relatively crowded room is never truly addressed.

Unfortunately, as much as the premise seems to promise insight into Mitchell’s character, most of the exploration is fairly shallow and amounts to Mitchell seeing the girl of his youthful dreams. In other words, the usual “school reunion” cliché. There might be some consequence for the Lucien Alliance, but the audience isn’t given much reason to care. With so few episodes left, this average installment is more a reason for frustration than anything else.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4

Final Rating: 7/10

Supernatural 2.21: "All Hell Breaks Loose: Part I"

Written by Sera Gamble
Directed by Robert Singer

The first half of the season finale begins with this episode, and as usual, much of the time is spent setting the stage for the showdown in the second part of the story. That doesn’t mean that the episode lacks tension or revelation; there’s a healthy dose of both. It’s closer to the truth to say that the pace is measured to build towards something much bigger.

In keeping with the season arc and the nature of the series itself, this episode focuses on Sam and his role in the demon’s plans. Logically, Dean’s part of the story is directly dependent on what happens with Sam, since Dean’s obligations and notions of self-sacrifice are tied to their father’s insistence that Dean take Sam down if he changes sides. Sam must make a choice before Dean’s path is entirely clear.

The episode is designed to take Sam down the path to his decision point, and that means quite a bit of juicy and surprising exposition from the yellow-eyed demon. In retrospect, the demon’s plan is relatively straightforward. He has an army in mind, and he needs a leader for that army. He chose an entire generation and seeded specific individuals with his own blood to give them demonic abilities.

Logically, the demon is thinking straight: he needs to find the right person for the job, but once that happens, he can’t have the leadership undermined by in-fighting. Hence the competition in this episode. Sam appears to be his favorite (perhaps related to whatever past history the demon had with Mary), and everything he’s done from Jessica to Meg to the present has been a matter of training and testing.

In the process, the demon adds some intriguing information to the mix. Apparently this is not the first time he’s prepared a generation to battle in his name, which could tie into the connection with Mary as well. This plays very nicely into the generational aspect of the series, beginning with John Winchester’s decision to train his sons in the business.

The fight for control took a bit of time, and it was easily the least interesting aspect of the episode. That’s not to say it was without merit; it just took some time to gain momentum. The finalists were a nicely diverse bunch, and their eventual fates were directly dependent on character traits, not stereotypes. It makes perfect sense that the two soldiers would be the last two standing.

Sam’s choice comes in the final act, when he eventually gains advantage and has the opportunity to win the contest. It’s underplayed, and may not represent the final statement on the issue, but Sam consciously chooses not to kill Jake. This is a critical point, because for all that Dean was terrified at what he might have to do, in the end he’ll feel responsible that he wasn’t able to protect Sam when it counted.

The war is still gearing up, because as Dean discovered, the hunters are now the hunted. This could serve two goals. First, the support system is being wiped out. But more importantly, this could explain where the demon is getting his army. What if the demon plans to use the souls of dead hunters as his army in the coming war? Given the end of this episode and what has happened since the season premiere, it would be devastating. But it would also set Dean against John and Sam, which would be thematically pleasing and more than worth it.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

Smallville 6.21: "Prototype"

Written by Steven S. DeKnight
Directed by Matt Beck

With the season careening towards the finish line in somewhat haphazard fashion, the writers are doing everything possible to salvage the season arc and bring things back on track. This episode is all about bringing those threads together and pointing to the season finale, and for the most part, it works.

Perhaps the most important repair is the connection drawn between Project 33.1 and Project Ares. One flows directly from the other, it seems, and while previous episodes could and should have made the connections in a more fluid manner, this corrects the error well enough. This leads to another mention of the ersatz Justice League. I can understand why their activities had to be off-screen, but it has led to an odd sense of detachment within the story arc.

After several episodes of questionable motivations (or yet another period with none to speak of), Lex reiterates the notion that his amoral project is all about protecting the world from alien threats by any means necessary. It’s always better when the villain is convinced that his goals are right and just, despite the means to that end. Sporadic episodes have given Lex a thin veneer of justification for his actions, but the characterization has still been rather shallow.

Part of the problem is the ridiculous pregnancy plot involving Lana. While one might accept the notion that Lex engineered the pregnancy to trap Lana into marrying him, that’s simply not how the character arcs were handled or portrayed in the fifth season. Most likely, the producers realized that this wasn’t the final season and that the baby plot was too hot to handle. Unfortunately, the resulting contradiction takes something away from Lex. Initially, she and the baby were the personification of his hopes and dreams, something to be protected at all costs. It was a relatively subtle source of motivation.

Instead, as stated before, Lana has become even more of an object to be possessed. This is another important aspect of the episode, because Lex is ready to snap if Lana betrays him openly. He already has suspicions after “Nemesis”, and Lana is a terrible liar. Her desire to protect Clark from Lex has put her in a difficult position, and sooner or later, it will all come crashing down.

The most consistent element, at least in terms of time spent explored it, has been the love triangle. The complementary plot thread involving Oliver Queen and Project 33.1 was not as strong as it could have been, but it was still more consistent than the Brainiac plot arc in the fifth season. Both of them, however, fared better than the Zoner plot thread, which lost momentum at a critical point in the season. Now it returns, which was expected, but it feels like something this important should have gotten a better build this late in the game.

All of these updates are wrapped around a plot point that will probably be important for the finale. Senator Burke is killed by Project Ares, which sets up Martha Kent as the heir apparent. It also puts her in the line of fire. Similarly, Lois’ crusade to find the truth should make her a liability. Add Chloe and her barely-there subplot about meteor-freak abilities to the mix, and the writers have a lot to resolve to bring this season to a respectable close.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4

Final Rating: 7/10

Lost 3.20: "The Man Behind the Curtain"

Written by Drew Goddard and Elizabeth Sarnoff
Directed by Bobby Roth

In which Locke forces Ben to take him to Jacob, which reveals a new aspect to the mystery of the island, while the situation at the beach gets more tense and complicated…

Status Report

If one looks at the entire series as one massive story arc (or set of arcs thereof), then the classic storytelling progression applies. The end of this season brings the series to about 60% completion. This puts this material firmly in the complication phase, when initial mysteries are resolved, unlocking deeper and more important mysteries in the process. This episode is a perfect example of this process.

A number of things are revealed in this episode, though much of the information comes through the filter of a devious and clever mind. It’s hard to know where the truth ends and the deception begins. And it’s not just a matter of deceiving others; Ben seems to be equally adept at deceiving himself. However, in this case, the new information fits with existing revelations, so some conclusions can be made.

If his memories are accurate, several matters are clarified. Ben was not born on the island, at least not in the literal sense. The circumstances of his birth explain his extreme interest in fertility issues. The resulting relationship with his father (Roger from “Tricia Tanaka is Dead”, which is a nice bit of continuity) left him searching for a purpose in the world. That desire came during his time with the Dharma Initiative, which is how he came to be on the island.

This is all straightforward, but considering that this is “Lost”, it’s just the beginning. Two things were already present on the island at the time of the Dharma Initiative: the Others, who are confirmed as the original inhabitants of the island, and whatever force manifests the hopes and fears of the inhabitants of the island (seemingly related to the “monster”).

The Others were then termed the “hostiles”, and their nature is still mysterious as ever. For one thing, they seem to have a rather diverse racial and ethnic profile for inhabitants of a South Pacific island, which supports the idea that the Others were drawn to the island and then absorbed over time into the existing population.

More importantly, the evidence seems to suggest that the Others have extended life spans. Richard looks the same now as he did decades earlier, and Ben notes that Richard may not even remember what it’s like to have a birthday. Keeping in mind the Life Extension experiments by the Hanso Foundation, and that aspect of the interest in the island makes sense. It also explains why Richard would consider fertility issues to be a “novelty”; functionally immortal people aren’t quite so concerned about adding to the population, especially when they can just bring new people to the island on their own terms.

This brings up an interesting question: if the Others are so attuned to the island that they are this long-lived, why would they allow Ben to serve as their leader? There must be something specific about Ben that led them to this decision, and looking back at the series to date, there are some interesting possibilities. Not only that, but Ben’s interest in Locke may be explained in the process.

Ben sees his mother on the island, despite the fact that he’s dead, and he hears the same kind of whispers and voices associated with the Others since the very beginning. Richard seems genuinely shocked that Ben saw his dead mother, and that implies that he was seen as special and valued. To become one of the Others, he waits for the right moment to affect the downfall and purge of the Dharma Initiative, complete with the murder of his own father.

This is an interesting parallel with Locke. Ben considered Locke’s relationship to the island to be special, and in order for Locke to be trusted, he needed to overcome his issues by killing his father. Ben is essentially asking for Locke to do as he once did, and perhaps Ben even sees Locke as someone following in his footsteps. Whether he sees that as a blessing or a threat is hard to determine.

Part of what makes Ben special is his ability to interact with Jacob. Jacob has been referenced as the true leader of the Others, the one pulling the strings, yet Ben is the only one who appears to take direction from him. This episode sheds some light on Jacob, and it is one of the most bizarre and intriguing twists in quite some time. For an extended period, it even seems as if Ben is psychotic.

The truth is far more complex, and may revive one of the more popular theories from the first season. That theory posed the possibility that the island is controlled, to some degree, by a non-corporeal intelligence, and that the Others’ desire for children is related in some way to this entity. The entity was often linked to the “monster”, especially in later episodes when survivors would see people who were dead or unable to be on the island in any logical manner.

Some of those who study parapsychology raise the possibility that ghosts are consciousnesses that are intact and operating on different frequency. Interaction with these entities is made possible in areas with unusual electromagnetic properties, according to the conjecture. If this is the case, wouldn’t the island be one of the most likely places for such interaction? It might also explain why technology is problematic when dealing with Jacob, and why his location is marked and specific.

The question of Jacob’s origin would still be on the table. Even if Jacob is some kind of non-corporeal intelligence existing out of phase with normal perception, how did he get that way? And how does that relate to the appearances of the dead on the island? If the Others do have extended lifetimes, as it seems they do, one possibility is that those living on the island eventually transition into this other form of existence.

If that’s the case, then one might wonder how many of the Others have transitioned. Could they be the source of the whispers in certain parts of the island? Unseen individuals who are still alive in some sense, but now longer operating on the same “plane”? Taken further, could the “monster” be an expression or extension of this phenomenon? After all, the philosophy of the Others (a harsh and lethal demand for personal growth and redemption) is strikingly similar to the apparent motivation of the “monster”.

Whatever the case, Ben seems genuinely threatened by Locke’s demand to see Jacob and his apparent communication with him. Add that to the clear challenge to Ben’s control over the Others, something Ben has always seen as tenuous, and Ben has every reason to shoot Locke. Of course, Ben conveniently shoots Locke in a non-lethal location. Locke could still die, of course, but there’s just as much reason to think that Locke will survive. He’d just be out of commission long enough for Ben to execute his plan against the JackLocke tribe.

Back on the beach, the anticipated showdown between Jack and Juliet and just about everyone else finally takes place, but it’s not much to speak of, since the Ben/Locke plot dominates. In short, it’s confirmed that Jack and Juliet are working together to stage a defense against the Others’ incursion, but they’ve been keeping those plans to themselves. The rest of the leadership (Sawyer, Sayid, and Desmond) is not pleased, especially since Jack seems to think his decision is the only one that matters. This is likely to erupt into a major conflict through the end of the season.

Final Analysis

Overall, this was a strong episode with a number of implications for the overall mythology and the rest of the third season. While not as revelatory as some fans might have hoped, this installment does answer some pressing questions, raising several others in the process. With a clear sense of how much time is still left for the answers to come, it’s easy to be patient and let the story evolve as it must.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

(Season Average: 7.6)

Heroes 1.21: "The Hard Part"

Written by Aron Eli Coleite
Directed by John Badham

As “Heroes” continues to wrap up its first season on a creative high note, overcoming many of its inherent flaws, the ratings continue to drop. This is ironic, especially after all talk about how “Heroes” had managed to overcome the problems encountered by “Lost”. While “Heroes” is designed to wrap up the major plot points each season, it still faces the problem that every serialized show must face: the difficulty of picking up new viewers when they think it’s too late to join the party, no matter the positive buzz.

The episode begins with several characters contemplating how they’re supposed to save the world. It’s a pretty good question, and sharing information is the only way to get answers. Both sides have their methods, of course, and both sides have the issue of interpretation. Sylar’s path to answers is revelatory, particularly in terms of his motivations and fears.

Most of those answers come in the form of history, particularly more and more information about the previous generation and how their decisions and actions led to the current crisis. Linderman had his complex plan, including DL, Niki, Jessica, and Micah which is a nice way to tie them into the central story.

Mohinder discovers the connection between his father’s research and The Company, which is a bit more than Mohinder (or anyone else) had reason to suspect. This leads him to help the Company work with Molly, who appears to be critical on a number of levels. The memory of his sister must make him wonder if his difficult relationship with his father originated with his apparent lack of an ability.

Another aspect is the ongoing struggle between Mrs. Petrelli, her plans, Nathan’s ambitions, and Peter’s determination to save New York. The interplay between Nathan/Thompson and Peter/Claire is particularly well done. I particularly enjoyed the parallel justifications for mutually exclusive actions. Mrs. Petrelli’s plan to take Claire to Paris now takes on a very different context (if that was, in fact, Mrs. Petrelli and not Candice).

Finally, there’s Sylar and his mother, which is quite the surprise. In a few short moments, it’s possible to feel some degree of sympathy for Sylar. His desire for a purpose and destiny makes a lot more sense in light of his upbringing. Sylar is a man at war with himself, trapped between a need to please his mother and resentment over her expectations.

In the end, the characters all move into position for the season finale. That positioning makes this more of a transitional piece, but there’s nothing wrong with that, as any serialized tale requires. Every good book has the relative calm before the storm, and to a certain extent, that’s what this episode represents.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

24 6.21: "Day 6: 2AM - 3AM"

Written by Manny Coto
Directed by Bryan Spicer

In which the operation to stop Cheng goes badly as the Chinese operative stages an attack of his own, while Daniels is placed in a difficult position when Lisa is involved in a sting operation…

Status Report

As the episode begins, Jack has been ordered by Secretary of Defense Heller to leave Audrey alone, and the legal documentation necessary to enforce that order is in the works. Jack is looking for a way to clean up his mess, despite Daniels’ order to keep Jack out of it. Nadia, already worried about her authority, sticks with the presidential order. It’s not the kind of situation Jack typically finds himself in, and it leaves him feeling helpless. All in all, a good start. With Jack still in custody, Doyle is once again placed in his typical role as Jack’s stand-in.

Out of nowhere, Marilyn and Josh return to the story, after disappearing for a huge chunk of the season. Josh is disgusted with being a Bauer, especially after watching endless footage of the near-forgotten nuclear blast from the premiere. Why Chloe would choose to tell Marilyn about Audrey is hard to understand; it’s a fair guess that it was a way to weave them back into the story to tie up loose ends.

Similarly, Marilyn is given access to Jack, despite the fact he’s in custody, and she’s even allowed to bring Josh into the detention room. Why this is permissible is hard to reconcile. Considering how the rest of the episode plays out, it’s clearly a plot convenience, designed to explain why certain characters are in certain locations when the time comes.

Back at the White House, Lisa is used to draw her ally, Mr. Bishop, into a sting operation. Daniels feels betrayed by Lisa, which is certainly understandable. The sting operation itself is a bit overlong, especially since there seems to be little point to it all, beyond making things difficult for Daniels and sexing things up a bit.

The episode was going strong until, once again, things get ridiculous with a horribly written scene between Morris and Chloe. The writers have all but butchered her character this season, and right now, it’s hard to imagine how that mistake will be corrected. The only thing more awkward is the ridiculous mess between Nadia and Milo. As usual, the agents at CTU pick the worst possible time to resolve their personal issues. Perhaps it would be harder for terrorists to assault CTU if more time was spent on national security instead of the dating pool.

It’s hard to care when Milo is killed, because his character was poorly established and his role this season has been all over the map. It’s certainly not on the same level as Michelle, Edgar, or Tony, and this is practically the definition of “shock tactic”. It serves no purpose other than to make this plot twist appear edgy.

The return of Philip Bauer, in association with Cheng, could lead to some answers to lingering questions from throughout the season. At this point, the various confusing interconnections are so vast and contradictory that a satisfying set of answers may be impossible to provide. At this point, the writers should have the chance to use the final three episodes to explain themselves and attempt a reasonable conclusion, even if there’s little chance that it will happen.

Final Analysis

Overall, this episode is a relatively solid attempt at giving the season a reasonable conclusion, at least until the final act descends into needless shock tactics. The sex and violence is a clear sign of desperation, even if it seems to be designed to give the writers a chance to tie up loose ends. There’s little time for that to happen, which means the writers have effectively painted themselves in a corner.

Writing: 1/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4

Final Rating: 6/10

(Season Average: 6.8)

Stargate: Atlantis 3.14: "The Tao of Rodney"

Written by Damien Kindler
Directed by Martin Wood

If there’s one complaint that seems to rise above the rest, when it comes to “Stargate: Atlantis”, it’s the lack of balance in character exploration. One might argue that the writers rarely get character development right, since there seems to be little change over time, but they do write episodes that focus on certain characters. More often than not, such episodes focus on either Sheppard or McKay.

Both complaints come together in this particular episode. First and foremost, Rodney McKay is the focus of this episode and there’s not a shred of doubt about it. The title makes that plainly obvious. And what happens in this episode will probably mean nothing in the end, despite the fact that the circumstances could and should result in a massive shift in Rodney’s personality.

These issues become a point of contention because it didn’t have to be that way. Many fans remember how the first season was constructed and note the delicate balance: plot and character arcs, consistent world-building, and a true sense of isolation. Taken in context with the sagging creativity on “SG-1” in the same time period, and it gave many fans hope that the series would revive the best aspects of the franchise. Since then, expectations have cooled, because the producers have fallen into predictable patterns and the series has been struggling against that tide.

This is pertinent to this episode because many fans will ask a pointed question: does anything in this episode really matter? If this were a series like “Babylon 5” or “Lost”, Rodney’s experience would likely result in a massive change in the character’s progression. More than that, there would be a clear path for the character leading to this moment of personal revelation.

Instead, one is left to wonder if all of Rodney’s soul-searching (as good and necessary as it is) will stick, or if he’ll go back to being the snarky, arrogant genius that he’s been since the inception. Just as Sheppard’s experience with the Ancients is ignored until it’s convenient for this particular plot thread, I expect McKay’s epiphany to be handled sporadically at best.

I could be wrong, but when it comes to a character as iconic as Rodney, whose personality quirks are practically his entire reason to exist, change is incredibly rare. There’s simply too much to lose. And for me, that renders so much of the meaningful work in this episode moot. That’s a shame, because this is one of the better character pieces for the franchise in quite some time. The episode itself is a great use of a familiar plot device, but I’m concerned that it will lose something in the long view.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

Stargate SG-1 10.14: "The Shroud"

Written by Robert Cooper
Directed by Andy Mikita

When we last left Daniel Jackson, he was in the lovely yet evil hands of Adria, the avatar of the Ori. Oddly, SG-1 has done very little to find or rescue Daniel since his capture. His return in this episode is a bit coincidental as a result; the team just happens to be on a planet where Daniel comes calling as a new and unusual Prior, extolling the virtues of Origin. The team, like the audience, is stunned and dismayed.

Of course, it’s not that simple. Daniel claims that he and Merlin (the part of the old Ancient still in his brain) concocted a plan to fool Adria into thinking he succumbed to her powers of persuasion. The team is less than convinced, especially when he explains that his plan involves letting the Ori Supergate open to the Milky Way. He claims to need that to bring Merlin’s completed weapon home for Earth’s defense. On the other hand, he could be lying, and it would allow the Ori fleet access to the galaxy, with a Prior in control of a weapon capable of killing Ancients. All in all, a situation with more than a little risk.

Enter General O’Neill, who is brought in to question Daniel, which is a nice touch, given their long and involved history. It’s almost as if O’Neill was never gone, something that helps to connect the dots as the series draws to a close. Between O’Neill and Teal’c, they come to the conclusion that Daniel is telling the truth. Unfortunately, the IOA wants Daniel taken out. Stargate Command and the IOA have rarely seen eye to eye, but this is the biggest point of contention yet.

In a nice twist, Vala is the one who takes the potential threat that Daniel represents most seriously. Given her evolving relationship with Daniel, she has plenty of reason to want him to survive. But her reasoning is sound: following Daniel’s plan is too much of a risk. The alternate plan is fairly obvious, but it was worth taking the time to let the various characters react to Daniel and his current status.

When things start to go wrong (as of course, they must), the twist and turns are slightly confusing. The end result, however, is that Daniel is back to normal, more or less, and the weapon was armed to detonate, with no evidence that it actually worked. And now that the Supergate is open for business, the armies of the Ori have the ability to send tons of reinforcements into the Milky Way. It’s hard to figure out if the risk/reward analysis was on the dot this time around, but considering that the Ori arc was always meant to extend beyond the end of the season, this complication makes a certain amount of sense.

Had the series been continuing, then Daniel’s quick and relatively simple return to the team might have seemed too quick. It would have been a lot more interesting if Daniel’s time as a Prior had stretched out over a few episodes. However, in light of the fact that the series is ending, a number of ideas will likely get short shrift, and this is just one such example.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4

Final Rating: 7/10

Supernatural 2.20: "What Is and What Never Should Be"

Written by Raelle Tucker
Directed by Eric Kripke

One of the staples of the genre is the “alternate reality” plot device. Characters are shown a version of reality that might have been, had different decisions been made. In many cases, this is just a chance for the writers to play; the events reveal little about the characters at the center of the experience. In other cases, the experiences are tailored directly to the characters, and the plot device is a means of exploring psychological and emotional issues in depth.

“Supernatural” has always placed character first, and so it’s no surprise that the more difficult path is taken in this episode. Dean runs into a D’Jinn, a being that feeds on the blood of victims, who are trapped within a fantasy world within their own mind. This is an interesting twist on the “genie” concept, and one that avoids the messiness of an entity able to affect reality on a massive scale. (“Tall Tales” worked on a similar principle.)

One would expect that the fantasy world would be nearly perfect, drawing the victim into a sense of contentment and happiness so profound that escape is never an option. However, if the purpose is to engage the victim in a convincing reality, it can’t be perfect. Dean’s fantasy is powerful in that it gives him a lot of what he wants: his mother alive, Sam in a happy life with Jess, a life with a gorgeous woman who understands him.

Yet in other aspects, things have gone wrong. John Winchester is still dead. Dean and Sam are estranged, more than they were when the series began. Dean’s history in his fantasy world is still questionable, which reveals something about Dean’s sense of self-worth. After all, his entire fantasy world is built out of his wishes, hopes, and fears.

It all comes down to the idea of sacrifice. Dean has been struggling with the cost of fighting evil since the beginning of the season. He still doesn’t quite understand how his life was worth the sacrifice made by his father, and the possibility of killing his brother to defeat the demon’s plans is always hanging over his head. The pain and suffering is beginning to take its toll, and even if he eventually does the right thing, that choice is a burden.

The intriguing possibility is that Dean might reach a point where the sacrifice required is too much. This has already been hinted at in “Born Under a Bad Sign”. Dean fought tooth and nail to avoid killing Sam, even when all the evidence pointed to Sam’s guilt. In that case, he was right, but what if there’s little or no hope of innocence? Would Dean be willing to sacrifice Sam, or would he be more likely to sacrifice himself? Even if the result is fairly predictable, the psychology behind that choice is not, and this episode is a sign that the writers will continue to follow that path.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

Smallville 6.20: "Noir"

Written by Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders
Directed by Jeannot Szwarc

This episode appears to be the integration of two desires: first, to set up the situation for the season finale, and second, to let the cast play in a classic noir version of “Smallville”. Trying to appease both desires might have been a bad idea, because while the two eventually integrate, it seems a bit disconnected.

I watch “Smallville” after “Supernatural” each and every week, and this scheduling shuffle might have made this episode look less impressive in comparison. Both shows featured an episode that presented an “alternate reality” that was generated out of the wishes, hopes, and fears of a single character. The rest of the cast was rendered through the filter of the character’s dream world.

Comparing the two episodes, “Smallville” comes up a bit short. The cast of “Supernatural” had it a bit easier; they were playing a relatively normal set of roles, and only Sam had to act subtly out of his normal character. “Smallville”, on the other hand, asked its cast to portray noir-esque versions of themselves, and that was a tall order. Classic noir has a style and cadence that is distinctly different from modern patterns of speech and body language.

Some cast members were able to pull it off. Chloe and Clark were mostly up to the challenge, and Lois had it easy enough (once again used as eye candy). Jimmy was spotty, but he had a lot more material to cover and one could conceive a reason why he might slip between his true personality and his fantasy. Lex, Lana, and Lionel sounded and looked like people completely out of their element. In fact, Lana was the least convincing character in the fantasy world, acting more like someone trying to play the femme fatale instead of being one.

As mentioned, had this been a more serious attempt at such a departure, it would have been a problem. Because it was effectively Jimmy’s mind coming up with a way to communicate a subconscious piece of information (the cigarette case), the shortcomings are easier to overlook. It’s not unlike the “Roswell” episode “Summer of ‘47”, where past events were filtered through one character’s mental filter. Modern characterizations and nostalgic notions combined, and any inability on the cast’s part to lend veracity to the unfamiliar was easily explained. (It still doesn’t necessarily mean that this “alternate reality” revealed much about Jimmy himself, unless he really sees the women in his world in such an unflattering and archaic light.)

In terms of the “real world”, Lana is playing both Luthors against the middle, and it’s not going well for her. Her injury in this episode could be foreshadowing; if she continues to maneuver to protect Clark in her own way, she could end up dead in the process, especially if Clark isn’t there to save her. Chloe and Lois are squarely in the middle as well. The character motivations are still a bit confusing, but the bottom line is that Lex and Lionel are once again vying for control with everyone else in the killing ground.

Speaking of Lex, his current Project: Ares is an odd departure from the established Project 33.1. Like many of the Luthor schemes of previous seasons, having too many going on at once is a recipe for confusion and potential continuity errors. One can assume that Ares is the product of 33.1, but it would be better for the writers to clarify that upfront. Instead, it feels like a major plot thread disappeared, only to be replaced in the final few episodes. That’s exactly what happened at the end of the fifth season, and it would be a shame to see it happen again.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4

Final Rating: 7/10

Lost 3.19: "The Brig"

Written by Damon Lindelof and Cartlon Cuse
Directed by Eric Laneuville

In which Locke recruits Sawyer for a mission with person implications for both of them, while Naomi’s arrival at camp exposes issues of trust, particularly when it comes to Jack…

Status Report

Since the beginning of the series, “Lost” has been dominated by the theme of personal redemption. Those who seek to shed the burden of the past and grow beyond psychological and emotional barriers survive and prosper. Those who reject such an opportunity tend to meet a disturbing and painful end. Most of the characters hover in-between the two extremes, challenged time and again by past and “present”.

Several episodes this season have returned to this theme, even as the season arc explores another important theme: the meaning of the Other. This episode actually tackles both themes with equal effectiveness. Two characters take a major step in their respective redemptive paths, and the JackLocke tribe threatens to fragment under suspicion.

Locke’s path has been a difficult and long one, filled with self-delusion and an endless desire for validation. His “daddy issues” have robbed him of any sense of self-worth, and he constantly seeks some special purpose to justify his struggles. For Locke, it’s all about destiny, and he’ll listen to anyone who feeds that hunger.

On the face of it, this episode appears to give Locke the opportunity to overcome that weakness. Ben sets the stage for Locke to do more than metaphorically kill his parent to become a man; he orders Locke to murder his father in front of a crowd to prove that he’s ready to assume his destined role. This is a particularly interesting order, because it may not be as clear cut as it seems.

If one takes the order at face value, what does this say about the Others? Ben does say that it’s about expressing free will and growing beyond personal limitations, and with so little information about the Others in hand, that’s certainly possible. As noted in this episode, it’s about more than the fertility issue, and Ben could see Locke as someone suited to some other purpose.

On the other hand, given Ben’s mastery over psychological manipulation, he must understand Locke well enough to know how to play into his assumptions of destiny. Ben wants something out of Locke, and for that to happen, Ben needs to convince Locke that he wants to provide it. He can’t appear weak in front of his own people, either, and looking to Locke as someone “special” undermines his own primacy. All that being the case, Ben could be manipulating Locke to ensure his own control over the situation.

The effect on Locke is relatively predictable. Locke wants to feel special, and with some prompting, he realizes that if he can’t kill someone in cold blood, someone else could do it for him. And so he makes the choice to manipulate Sawyer into killing his father, so he can win Ben’s continued approval. Whatever Locke might believe, this is not a step forward towards personal transformation. He’s simply replacing the need for his father’s approval with the need for Ben’s approval. (Something that adds to the overall suspicion, going back to Eko’s dying words in “The Cost of Living”, that Locke’s inability to evolve is leading to a bad end.)

Sawyer, on the other hand, has the opportunity to move past his search for the original Sawyer and work on what his life might be without that burden on his shoulders. This particular aspect of the episode is the near-perfect payoff to a possibility raised in the first season, one mentioned several times in previous reviews. Now it’s confirmed that Locke’s father was the original Sawyer, and Sawyer had the opportunity to face down the man who destroyed his life.

Unlike Locke, Sawyer has taken steps towards change, assuming more of a leadership role in Jack’s absence. If he no longer has to live for his old life, with his personal quest now fulfilled, what kind of person will Sawyer choose to be? Will the true James Ford emerge, or will he find it impossible to let go of the trappings of the past?

Moving to the second theme for the series, the nature of the Other, tensions at the camp are at an all time high. Desmond and his band of merry men have managed to bring Naomi back to the camp, and Desmond (once again playing Locke’s role as opposing force) convinces the rest of the gang to keep her existence a secret. They believe that Jack is too close to Juliet, and could now be one of the Others.

One could argue that the plot progression for this thread doesn’t make much sense. The gang decides to bring Sayid in on the secret, and he manages to get some detailed information about Naomi’s apparent purpose. As suspected, she’s connected to Penny Widmore’s attempt to find Desmond, and her unusual experience in finding the island matches nearly everything else mentioned about it since the inception. Even so, it’s hard to know if Noami’s story can be trusted.

All of that makes sense enough, but Sayid proceeds to work on the satellite phone in plain sight. Kate stumbles upon them, and is quickly given the full story. Not long after that, Kate gets angry when Jack refuse to speak with her privately, and she blurts out everything without a hint of hesitation. Desmond is likely to pissed, especially since it should have been simple enough to keep things quiet for a little while longer.

This does, however, lead to an interesting revelation. Apparently Jack and Juliet have a plan of their own, and Desmond’s new friend could complicate whatever that plan is. The most obvious speculation would be that Jack is aware of Juliet’s supposed “mole” status, and has been working with her to undermine Ben’s plan from the beginning. While it sounds a bit overly complicated to be viable, in this case, it makes sense in terms of their personal context.

The divisions aren’t confined to the JackLocke tribe. Apparently things are far from rosy among the Others as well. While it’s not the same as Alex’s overt rebellion earlier in the season, Richard’s discussion with Locke could be a sign that factions continually press for advantage among the Others. This would explain why Ben is constantly concerned with maintaining a sense of absolute control.

Amidst all the thematically satisfying elements, there’s more time devoted to the discovery, confirmed by Cooper in this episode, of a remains of Oceanic 815. According to Naomi, the plane wreckage was discovered at the bottom of an ocean trench with the bodies still aboard. This may seem to indicate that the passengers are really dead, but there’s no detail on whether or not the bodies were positively identified or assumed to be the passengers on the manifest.

What matters is that the world believes them to be dead, which will immediately destroy any false hope of a rescue just over the horizon. Beyond the Others and their worldwide network, there’s only Penny Widmore’s mission, and they’ve all but come up empty. Claire’s message will now likely be ignored, if it’s ever discovered. The potential is for a massive change in the survivors’ mindset; with rescue a near-impossibility, the tribe may be forced to take on the Others in a bid for their own long-term survival.

Final Analysis

Overall, this episode continues to resolve long-standing issues by focusing on character exploration. Beyond that, the plot continues to build towards the season finale, and for the most part, that progression is excellent. Contrary to popular belief, the series has been answering questions at a blistering pace of late, and while some of the answers lead to bigger questions, those with faith in the production have been well rewarded.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 3/4

Final Rating: 9/10

(Season Average: 7.6)

Jury Duty Update

OK, so today was the selection day. There were 75 or more people in the selection pool, and 23 spots. Accounting for the people with legit excuses, I had a 50/50 chance of walking out the door unscathed.

No such luck.

Not only am I on the grand jury, but I was asked to be deputy foreman. Not so bad, considering that I have to be there regardless, so at least I won't be bored. And there are some good points. The days should end before 4PM, which isn't bad. It's an hour for lunch, and the grand jury room is pretty nice. We can eat during the session if we're not going overboard. There is, of course, the bad...unlike work, where I can multitask to keep the mild ADD at bay, I'll have to be focused entirely on the cases. I can't spend any time at all on anything else, which is a major hassle.

Here's the ugly: it's every Tuesday and Thursday through 10 July. Tuesdays aren't an issue, but Thursday is, quite possibly, the worst day imaginable. Because Thursday, as most of you know, is Lost Review Day. "Lost" is the one show that I simply cannot write reviews for in "real time"; it's too complex. So I frame it up Wednesday night, flesh it out the next day, post it before the schedule runs right into Supernatural and Smallville. Now, for the rest of the season, each and every Thursday, I'm losing hours and hours of time to flesh out the review and make it readable. And that sucks.

This is exactly what I was afraid of when it came to the whole JD thing, and I'm not sure how I'm going to pull it off. Never mind that I'm going away this weekend and I'll be working overtime to get the reviews for this week out of the way. At this rate, I'll be writing non-stop tomorrow night, catching up on work all morning on Friday, away until Sunday, writing all Sunday and Monday night. And soon after all of that, it's time for the network upfronts, the season finales, etc. May Sweeps is always insane, but the next four weeks are gonna frakkin' kill me with this asinine JD schedule.

On the plus side, June is going to feel like a massive relief...

Heroes 1.20: "Five Years Gone"

In another nice bit of inventive plotting, the story takes a leap forward, with Hiro and Ando getting a glimpse of a future where Sylar exploded in the middle of New York after killing Claire. Right from the beginning, the writers start providing answers to questions from early in the season. From there, things get even more interesting, as aspects of each surviving character emerge. This is the “Heroes” version of “Days of Future Past”, the classic tale from the heyday of “Uncanny X-Men”.

Matt is the fascist head of Homeland Security, working alongside the Haitian, hunting down “terrorists” like Future Hiro. He reports directly to Nathan, who has assumed the presidency as foretold by Isaac. He’s been trying to find a “solution” to the “superhuman problem”, and it sounds an awful lot like history repeating itself.

Future Hiro is still dedicated to changing the fate of the world, thankfully, though his life has ripped away a lot of the joy and wonder. As it turns out, Peter is still alive and living in Vegas. So is Niki, who works as a stripper under the name Jessica, in a nice throwback to her original entrance, even if it was ultimately unnecessary. Peter has a ton of physical and emotional battle scars, looking oddly like Jason Behr from “Roswell” in the process, and yet he remains an important piece of the puzzle.

In an unexpected turn, Mr. Bennett has become a crucial part of the resistance, helping superhumans escape Homeland Security with Hana’s assistance. Of course, in retrospect, it’s a logical direction for his arc to take. His dedication to Claire, and the study of the superhumans through Primatech, could have led to more than a few personal epiphanies. Claire, gorgeous with dark hair and the experience of five long years in hiding, is still his primary concern.

It doesn’t take long for Matt and Mohinder to pull together Future Hiro’s original plan, and Matt tracks down Mr. Bennett and then Claire, with very little concern for the consequences. Nathan is more than willing to let it happen, despite Mohinder’s attempts to change his mind. And when “Nathan” is finally revealed to be Sylar, happily taking out his competition, it all begins to come together and make sense. This is a great twist, especially since the writers all but established that someone with Claire’s ability could survive exploding like a nuclear bomb, and Sylar never would have taken on Claire’s power!

Peter, Hiro, and Ando make a great commando team, and it would have been nice to see more of that action. On the other hand, the latest match between Peter and Sylar, completely off-screen, promises some serious fireworks as the season draws to a close. The result is a restoration of Hiro’s confidence in himself, and the truth about what Isaac saw in Sylar’s future.

This episode is a nice bookend to Hiro’s adventures in the past in “Six Months Ago”, an episode that revealed a great deal about Sylar and the emergence of the current batch of heroes. One is left to wonder if Sylar’s rise as president in Nathan’s place was planned by Linderman or something Sylar himself did to survive. Whatever the case, Isaac has predicted that Hiro will run Sylar through with his sword, and Peter is still on course to explode. Getting to that point will be half the fun.

Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4

Final Rating: 8/10

24 6.20: "Day 6: 1AM - 2AM"

Written by Howard Gordon and Evan Katz
Directed by Brad Turner

Status Report

With five episodes left of the season, the critics and fans have largely abandoned hope. Too much has been left dangling in the wind, and even the producers acknowledge the fact that many of the plot elements have been recycled and things have become stale. With all of that said and done, the season still has to close out, and one can only hope that the final episodes will allow the season to end with a sense of dignity.

As the episode begins, Jack is in a precarious position. Acting President Daniels has withdrawn support from Jack, especially in light of Cheng’s escape with the Russian decryption device, and he’s more than a little distracted by Audrey and her status. Of course, Jack is the only one likely to get through to Audrey, and the CTU psychological team is ready to unleash the Spanish Inquisition.

While Jack is still focused on Audrey, Mike Doyle continues to play his usual role as the maverick, acting directly on Jack’s behalf. If the producers have no intention of making Doyle a long-term member of the team, they have a funny way of showing it. Doyle is more than happy to give Jack a chance to prove himself right.

Speaking of Daniels, his conniving lover is revealed as working with someone else, using the over-eager executive to control domestic issues. Played by Michael Shanks (known well to “Stargate” fans), this new player immediately brings to mind Graem’s consortium from the end of the fifth season and their business interests. Unfortunately, this episode seems to suggest that the connection is just with the Russians, which is actually a bit disappointing.

Daniels himself is under the gun, thanks to yet another leak out of CTU and an ultimatum from the Russian president. The upshot is that the pressure is on for Nadia to find Cheng and the device. Rather conveniently, Cheng runs into a problem with the device, forcing him to find technical help. At this point, it’s an obvious delaying tactic, meant to give the writers time to position characters where they need to get by the end of the hour.

For all of Nadia’s lack of personality, her decision regarding Morris and Chloe is the right one, and it’s about time someone smacked down the melodrama in the office. (If only the writers would get the hint; the Morris/Chloe scenes were excruciating.) She’s also holding Jack accountable, which is technically correct but never a good move in an episode of “24”. Inevitably, that hardline attitude will prove devastating, because sound policy is often wrong when it comes to Jack Bauer.

Jack and Audrey have a sweet moment, and the shot of them joining scarred hands is a nice touch. Jack’s defense of Audrey is a bit overdone, and Nadia decides to trust Jack at a rather convenient moment, but all and all, it’s not a bad scene. Bringing Secretary of Defense Heller back for a scene with his daughter was another nice touch, and his demand to Jack is a great way to end the episode.

The final scene brings back one of the overarching themes of “24”: the personal cost of saving the world. Jack has lost nearly everyone over the years, and while she’s not dead, Audrey represents the most recent victim of that trend. Making that choice to sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of others is inherent to Jack’s brand of heroism. If the writers are trying to salvage some sense of that disappointing character arc, then this is probably a part of that process. But given the scattershot nature of the season arc, it’s impossible to tell.

Final Analysis

Overall, this episode is a continuance of the ongoing attempt to give this season a dignified exit. It’s hard to imagine that anything can save the season at this point, and this installment does little to change that impression. Still, there are some scenes that work well, and when things go this far off the rails, it’s a matter of finding the good within the bad.

Writing: 1/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4

Final Rating: 6/10

(Season Average: 6.7)